Taiwan's Badminton Win is Awkward for Olympics

Lee and Wang on the top podium, China (left) looking on

Taiwan hit the golden jackpot when Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin defeated China's Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang in the men's badminton doubles final in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Lee and Wang Chi-lin successfully defended their Tokyo Games title three years ago with consecutive wins -- the first men in badminton history to do this.

Needless to say Taiwanese residents were overjoyed with the result, where many watched the thrilling match on public screens. Taiwan -- or Chinese Taipei as it's called in the Olympics -- has one gold and two bronze.

Online news outlet HK01 reported that although the match began at 10.10pm, Chinese state media outlet CCTV didn't broadcast it until 11.03pm. And then the CCTV broadcast ended at 11.43pm and didn't show the medal ceremony either.

They are the first team to win back-to-back gold

However, people in China reported CCTV Channel 16 did broadcast the game live in its entirety and the commentator even congratulated the Chinese Taipei team on their victory.

"This is a chance to prove Taiwan's strength and to affirm our international status... In every area China suppresses us, we can't even use our proper name at the Olympics and are called Chinese Taipei. So our players are helping us become recognised," said fan Irene Lai.

Before the final, one female fan in a sports venue was holding a green poster in the shape of Taiwan with "台灣加油" on it when it was snatched by a mainland Chinese spectator.

The International Olympic Committee rules prohibit flags or signs that include political messages or support countries that are not participating in the Olympics.

But what the Chinese spectator did was political...

More Cameras to Fight Crime in HK

Tang says "all walks of life" did not object to more CCTVs

In another sign that Hong Kong is becoming more aligned with the mainland, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping Keung wants to further beef up security in the city, which means adding between 2,000 to 2,500 surveillance cameras in public places from next year.

"I think this is a natural trend. In fact a lot of other jurisdictions, they are using it already," he said, citing the UK has around 7.3 million surveillance cameras, and Singapore plans to increase the number by 200,000 by 2030.

The installment of more CCTV cameras is in a bid to combat crime. Tang explained in a pilot scheme, 15 cameras were set up in Mong Kok to detect 13 kinds of crimes, but did not specify which ones they were. 

Some 2,000-2,500 cameras installed from 2025

Tang said the cameras will have facial recognition technology which will help in robbery cases.

"Eventually, when we are able to find the whereabouts of the culprit through a number of CCTV [cameras], it will be a few hours later -- we know with AI technology, we can instantly identify the culprit," the security minister said.

Tang said adding more surveillance cameras in Hong Kong would not compromise personal privacy, adding residents and businesses "from all walks of life" did not object to them.

"All our installation of the CCTVs, it's in full compliance with our privacy law," he said.

People are too busy trying to keep their heads above water to think about surveillance cameras, even though it is yet another thing to be aware of.

As for fighting crime, the proof will be in the numbers... 

2,000 CCTV Cameras Watching Hong Kong

Cheuk says cameras to be placed in high-flow areas of people

Hong Kong is getting the surveillance treatment, with 2,000 CCTV cameras that will be installed around the city this year.

Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk Wing-hing made the announcement, explaining the CCTV cameras will help deter crimes even though he says Hong Kong is a safe city.

"The surveillance cameras will be installed in places with a high flow of people and places evaluated as high risk by officers. But the cameras may not be put there permanently; if needed, they may be moved to other places too," he said.

"This can also improve governance at the district level. If someone wants to commit a crime, can they dodge so many surveillance cameras?"

Cheuk sayd another 600 cameras will be installed by mid-2024.

He added that while he understands some people may have privacy concerns, Cheuk's reasoning is that there are other cities with more CCTV cameras than Hong Kong.

So apparently hiring more police officers isn't enough to make the city safer so they need several hundred "electronic eyes" to watch for anything suspicious going on... 

HK Police Call for CCTV Cameras in Schools

Students and teachers will be surveilled daily at school

Hong Kong Police are becoming more active in the school system, calling for CCTV cameras to be installed in classrooms in a bid to ensure greater safety for students, but teachers fear it's a way to monitor what is said and taught in class.

Last week the HKPF launched a new website called Safe City Hong Kong and under "Security of premises" and "school" it suggests CCTV cameras be installed along with other security measures such as being aware of strangers in and around campus, drawing up contingency plans, setting up access control systems, and staying alert of incoming mail and deliveries.

Over police suggestions for school security

The HKPF is even calling for installing perimeter fencing of at least 2.8 metres in height, security guard booths, and infrared motion sensors, electric fencing and taut-wire tripping systems.

These suggestions make the schools sound like fortresses or top secret locations that need to keep intruders out rather than schools that are supposed to be welcoming places for learning.

Tech surveillance like facial recognition at the outdoor gates, canteens and classrooms have already been installed in many schools and universities in China since 2019 as a response to school shootings in the United States.

But some netizens have questioned the need to be so intrusive as to check up on students to see if they are dozing off in class or not.

Nevertheless, if the HKPF have it their way, similar "security" measures could be implemented in Hong Kong too. 

It's not a new idea -- pro-Beijing legislators had proposed the idea of installing CCTV cameras in classrooms in 2021 to monitor the content of classes and interactions between students and teachers. 

CCTV in schools has been proposed since 2021

But at that time then Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said schools wishing to install this surveillance technology would have to comply with government guidelines and privacy requirements as well as communicate with the parents and other stakeholders in advance.

If the cameras are being installed to prevent crime in schools and universities, then it makes no sense, as according to the police, crime committed by those between the ages of 10 and 20 fell by around 8 percent last year compared to the previous year.

When CCTV cameras are installed, going to school will be even more stressful than it needs to be...

Zero-Covid Protests Erupt in China

Police in hazmat suits beat protesting workers in Zhengzhou

There are tremors that are becoming more agitated in the Middle Kingdom thanks to Xi Jinping's insistence on zero-Covid.

In the last two days videos have been posted on Twitter showing workers at a Foxconn factory in Zhengzhou, Henan province. There are scenes of them armed with metal sticks clashing with "dabai" or police in white hazmat suits with riot shields, and the workers are for the most part holding the line.

The workers are protesting the working conditions and pay in the biggest factory that makes iPhones.

Foxconn workers protesting pay and conditions

Last month there was the threat of a lockdown in the factory because of a Covid-19 infection and many workers fled with suitcases, literally walking hundreds of kilometres to get home. They could not take public transport because their phones would have a warning of a possible infection.

The Taiwanese factory then tried to hire more workers, but apparently the new ones found their pay was changed when they got there. One worker, Li Sanshan said he was lured by 25,000 yuan (US$3,500) for two months' of work. But when he got to the factory, he found out they would have to work an additional two months to get the 25,000 yuan.

"Foxconn released very tempting recruiting offers, and workers from all parts of the country came, only to find they were made fools of," Li said.

The company claimed it was a "technical error" and offered an apology. But Foxconn is now struggling to fill iPhone14 orders.

Chinese shocked to see maskless football fans

Meanwhile the World Cup has kicked off in Qatar, and despite its reprehensible treatment of migrant workers, banning homosexual acts and sexist treatment of women, it has allowed the thousands of football fans in the stadiums to watch the matches without masks.

When the Chinese turned on their televisions or phones to watch the matches, they were shocked -- shocked -- to see no one masked up.

"Some people are watching World Cup matches in person with no masks, some have been locked at home for a month, locked on campus for two months without even being able to step out the door," a Guangdong-based user on Weibo wrote on Wednesday.

"Who has stolen my life? I won't say."

Another Weibo user from Shaanxi province said they were "disappointed" in their country.

Chinese wonder if China on same planet as Qatar

"The World Cup has allowed most Chinese people to see the real situation abroad, and worry about the economy of the motherland, and their own youth," the user wrote.

Another questioned China's zero-Covid policy and if China was "on the same planet" as Qatar on the Weibo platform before it was censored. 

The World Cup matches are broadcast on state broadcaster CCTV, which also gives a lot of negative information about the rest of the world, claiming they are struggling with the virus. 

Now the Chinese feel like they are made fools of too...

Double Standards

Cheung sang in the 25th anniversary song released before July1

Cantopop superstar Jacky Cheung Hok-yau got into hot water with mainland fans the other day when he said, "香港加油 Hong Kong add oil!"

He also failed to mention the "motherland" in his congratulatory message marking the 25th anniversary of the Hong Kong handover that was broadcast on CCTV.

Cheung said:

Hong Kong has experienced a lot of ups and downs over these past 25 years. However, because I grew up together with this city, and I was born and grew up here, I still believe in this city, and I still hope that it will become a better one than before. Hong Kong add oil.

"Hong Kong add oil" was a rallying cry in 2019

One has to keep in mind that the singer and actor is very careful with his words when it comes to anything related to politics. 

But Chinese people online immediately pounced on Cheung for being "unpatriotic", and after more angry than positive comments were posted, his video message was taken down.

They apparently believed that the "ups and downs" he was referring to were related to the 2019 protests, and one of the slogans the protesters used at the time was "Hongkongers add oil!"

On Sunday Cheung issued a statement to address the video clip that was taken down.

He said he is a patriot and always tried to separate politics from art. Cheung said it was precisely because he had such a deep relationship with Hong Kong that he has witnessed the most "golden and glorious moments in Hong Kong".

However, Cheung pointed out that Hong Kong is undergoing an "unsatisfactory" phase over the past few years with violence, followed by the pandemic, depressing all industries and causing panic among the people.

Cheung's rebuttal on Sunday

"Now is the time for Hong Kong to add oil," he said.

Then Cheung pointed out the phrases, "Beijing add oil", "Wuhan add oil", and "Shanghai add oil" are frequently used. He questioned why "Hong Kong add oil" or the colours yellow and black determine how patriotic someone is. 

He expressed hope that "we Chinese people are rational and will convince people with reason", and added: "Whether I love the country and Hong Kong or not, the community will make a judgment."

Cheung also addressed his haters, thanking the public for their supervision of his words and deeds, and described himself as an "ant citizen". 

"I will continue to work hard to be a good person and a good singer under everyone's supervision as a Chinese."

Hopefully that's the last of what Cheung will have to address, but it was good of him to bring the issue out into the open. Why is it that other places can use "add oil", but not Hong Kong?

Will he be boycotted? So far no reaction yet.

Everything's a political minefield when dealing with China. It seems one can never be patriotic enough...